Jupiter

The Jupiter pinball machine is a rare and enigmatic example of late-1970s electro-mechanical design. Produced in 1978 by an unknown manufacturer, this mysterious game has piqued the interest of collectors and historians alike. It is a wedge-head, single-player version of Gottlieb's 1977 multi-player games 'Fire Queen' and 'Vulcan,' using standup targets instead of drop targets and lacking a kick-out hole.

Gameplay on the Jupiter is marked by its combination of eight standup targets, five star rollover shots, and an end-of-ball bonus, which rewards players for sustained play. The machine's two flippers and two pop bumpers provide a challenging yet rewarding experience. The backglass, by artist Michele 'Mike' Martinelli, depicts the Roman god Jupiter standing over a reclining woman, reinforcing the game's mythology theme.

Little is known about the Jupiter's exact manufacturer or production history; the three known examples of the game, all located in Italy, carry front door hardware stamped 'Mondial,' suggesting a conversion from the original Gottlieb machines, though the manufacturer's name appears nowhere on any of them. Despite these uncertainties, the Jupiter remains an intriguing specimen in the pantheon of pinball history, and a testament to the ingenuity of the collectors and converters who kept these games in circulation.